Waterford school receives award for fitness, nutrition

Sandburg Elementary School in the Waterford School District was expected to be recognized with the HealthierUS School Challenge Gold Award in an assembly held yesterday, Tuesday, March 22, for the school’s commitment to fitness and nutrition.

The award is presented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as part of the HealthierUS School Challenge, a national program that involves the promotion of physical activity and fitness in America’s schools, as well as nutrition education and healthier school meals.

The program is part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s LetsMove! campaign to fight childhood obesity.

Sandburg is only the second school is the state to have earned the Gold Award, and also offers the USDA’s Team Nutrition program.

Those expected to attend the assembly were Waterford School District and state education officials, teachers and students, as well as Julie Mikkelson, USDA Food and Nutrition Service Regional Director for Special Nutrition Programs.

Back in 2009, Sandburg was awarded a 12-month grant of $12,609 from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan in which funds were used to buy a fruit cart to deliver free fruit to each of the school’s classrooms on Fridays, field trips to a local farmer’s market, and teaching students how to make smoothies, fruit kabobs and sauces with fruits and vegetables.

Over the last two years, the Waterford School District has increased its effort to promote healthy eating in the community through programs including a “Veggie Village” at Waterford Village Elementary in 2009 through a $15,000 grant from Hidden Valley Salad Dressings.

Back in January, the Waterford Alternative High School received a $5,000 grant from the Waterford Foundation for Public Education to become the home of the Waterford Community Garden.